Balto and the Great Race (Stepping Stone) (Paperback)

by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel (Author) "Nome began as a frontier town in 1899 when gold was discovered nearby..." (more)
Key Phrases: antitoxin serum, lead dog, relay teams, Port Safety, Gunnar Kaasen, Nurse Morgan (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-5-Kimmel presents the legendary story of the part-husky/part-wolf sled dog that braved severe blizzard conditions to take antitoxin serum to a remote Alaskan village in 1925. When the town was stricken by a diphtheria epidemic, Balto overcame unbelievable obstacles to accomplish what other dogs could not. This heroic canine has been immortalized in statue, film, and now in a book that brings his story to life. Kimmel's writing deftly combines geography, sled racing, and historical background with the gripping adventure of Balto's race to save lives. In many ways, the book reads like fast-paced fiction. Koerber's service- able black-and-white illustrations appear throughout and reflect the action. Sure to appeal to beginning chapter-book readers.
Christy Norris Blanchette, Valley Cottage Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
paper 0-679-89198-6 This Stepping Stone entry takes on the story of Balto, which, in its facts, is thrilling: a Siberian husky becomes lead dog on his team and tracks through a raging blizzard to bring desperately needed antitoxin serum to Nome in 1925. Kimmel (Ice Story, p. 66, etc.) explains how dangerous diphtheria was at the time, how isolated Nome was, and how severe the weather condition, but the telling is often mired in awkward metaphors and repetition. Emily Morgan, the nurse who worked beside Dr. Curtis Welch in Nome, isn't mentioned until halfway through the book. Anthropomorphic analysis of Balto's ``feelings'' and ``thoughts'' are included, detracting from the tale for all but the most fanatical of dog-lovers. (b&w illustrations, not seen) (Nonfiction, ages 8-11) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (December 21, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679891986
• ISBN-13: 978-0679891987
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #59,806 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A teacher in PA, May 2, 2000

By A Customer

This is an excellent book if you are interested in the Iditarod race in Alaska.The book helps young children understand the importance of perserverence and is a great introduction to history for the very young (6-8).A true story that inspires people to understand the bond between animals and people.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, April 30, 2005

A Kid's Review

Just so you'd know, this book is not denouncing Togo. It is merely telling Balto's side of the story. And it is a courageous one taht deserves to be well-known. There.

One day, a serious diptheria epidemic breaks out in Nome. Sled dogs are selected to deliver serum to the town before time runs out. Will they succeed?

This compelling book tells the story of Balto's brave and graet contribution to this race (he never tried to claim all the credit!), and I would recommend it even to Leonhard Seppala, so he would stop despising Balto, but sadly, he is now dead.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Balto: not just for kids, January 27, 2002

By	James E. Dillon (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

We purchased this book after seeing the real Balto (courtesy of the art of taxidermy) at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Our quest in Northeast Ohio, where Balto enjoyed his senior years, was prompted by my seven year-old daughter's love-affair with the animated film about this dog, who navigated a lost sled team carrying life-saving medicine through Alaska in 1925. I hereby confess publicly that, after myself reading the book, which is aimed at the 9 year-old set, I cried, much as I had done 35 years before after reading "Lassie Come Home." This account, however, is much more compelling than "Lassie" or "Old Yeller," because it entirely factual (possibly excepting the subjective thoughts imputed to the protagonist).

The author did her homework researching this story about a sled dog who was just one of the pack facing poor odds against daunting weather and unrequiting expanses of blinding snow and ice. When the alpha dog loses the trail, and another refuses to lead, the team turns to Balto to bring them and their cargo safely to rest in Nome.

Perhaps Balto deserves an authentic, grown-up biography, but this one will serve in the meantime. It appears to be the definitive account.